National Economic
Development Authority Cordillera Director and RDC Vice-Chair Milagros
Remand recommended preparation of feasibility study as support to
Kalinga’s proposed projects because of high cost estimates.

Gov. Jocel C. Baac who
presented the province’s development issues and proposals, told the RDC how
perennial flooding of the swollen Chico River had affected at least 1,000
hectares of riceland resulting in estimated production losses of 7,248,013
metric tons in rice valued at P602, 912,690.

The problem if left
unattended would severely hurt the province’s rice industry that contributes
1.33% to the country’s annual rice requirement and is the top-source of the
region’s rice.

Meanwhile, Tinglayan
Mayor Johnny Maymaya sought RDC’s action on the construction of
temporary narrow one-lane bridges along the Tinglayan-Bontoc national road,
which he said, hampers buses from traversing the route.

Abra Governor and RDC
Chair Eustaquio Bersamin moved for the creation of a technical body to inspect
and validate the report for the council’s appropriate action assuring positive
move from the RDC to address the problem.

In a related
development, Baac sought the council’s action urging the immediate issuance by
the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples of the Certificate of
Pre-Condition required on the Bulanao-Amlao road improvement project funded
under the Philippine Rural Development Project.

Said document is
required by the funding institution so that the project would start this year,
Baac said.